USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964)

- decommissioned -- later EDD 964 -

USS PAUL F. FOSTER was the second ship in the SPRUANCE - class of destroyers and the first ship in the Navy named after Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster. Last homeported in Everett, Wash., the PAUL F. FOSTER is currently at Port Hueneme, Calif., serving as EDD 964 as the Navy’s new Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS).

USS PAUL F. FOSTER was designed and built by Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and was commissioned on 21 February 1976. As the initial DD 963 class destroyer assigned to the Pacific Fleet, PAUL F. FOSTER had many milestone firsts, including successfully firing NATO Sea Sparrow missile, demonstrating the feasibility of landing H-46 helicopters, and determining the operational limits of the SH-3 helicopter.

Operating out of San Diego, California, PAUL F. FOSTER became the first SPRUANCE class destroyer to deploy to the Western Pacific in March 1978. The ship deployed again in 1979 and 1982, serving in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific.

PAUL F. FOSTER joined Destroyer Squadron NINE and moved to its new homeport of Long Beach, California, in August 1983. PAUL F. FOSTER became the Navy's first "all electric destroyer" after major modifications at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, which included the addition of a fourth ship's service gas turbine generator.

On 29 August 1987, Paul F. Foster began its fourth Western Pacific deployment as Destroyer Squadron NINE's flagship, leading a five ship Surface Action Group and participating in several major allied fleet exercises. During a fifth deployment in August 1986 with the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) Battle Group, PAUL F. FOSTER was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for its performance in operation KERNAL POTLATCH in the North Pacific and Bering Sea.

From July 1987 through July 1988, PAUL F. FOSTER completed a regular overhaul at Northwest Marine Iron Works in Portland, Oregon. During the overhaul the ship received over 55 major ship alterations, including installation of the MK 41 Vertical Launch System for TOMAHAWK cruise missiles, the AN/SQQ-89 Anti -Submarine Warfare Detection System, and facilities to employ the Navy's most sophisticated submarine helicopter, the LAMPS MK III.

PAUL F. FOSTER departed on its sixth Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployment on 24 February 1989 in company with the USS RANGER (CV 61) Battle Group. Conducting North Arabian Sea operations, the ship was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

On 8 December 1990, PAUL F. FOSTER departed Long Beach on its seventh overseas deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The first ship to fire TOMAHAWK missiles against Iraqi targets, PAUL F. FOSTER was instrumental in the liberation of Kuwait and in winning the Gulf War.

Deploying for the eighth time on 20 July 1992, PAUL F. FOSTER returned to the Arabian Gulf witse it operated in support of Operation Desert Storm-Soutitsn Watch while participating in numerous bilateral exercise with Arabian Gulf Nations.

During the ship's most recent deployment, its ninth, Paul F. FOSTER served with USS CARL VINSON Battle Group and was the first ship on the scene to provide assistance to a burning ocean going tug, GLORIOUS CITY, putting out the fire and saving it's crew of seven.

Upon returning from deployment on 20 October 1994, PAUL F. FOSTER entered into a regular overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard where several of the latest technology weapons, sensors and engineering systems were added. After completion of overhaul, PAUL F. FOSTER moved to its new homeport of Everett, Washington arriving in November 1995.

During the ship's tenth deployment which began February 21, 1997, PAUL F. FOSTER was a part of the multinational force in the Arabian Gulf, enforcing United Nations sanctions against Iraq.

PAUL F. FOSTER departed for its eleventh deployment on January 27, 1999. While serving as part of the Pacific Middle East Force, PAUL F. FOSTER participated in OPERATION IRON SIREN, EAGER SENTRY, and ARABIAN GAUNTLET. In addition, the ship conducted boarding's in support of United Nations Sanctions against Iraq.

On January 12, 2001 USS PAUL F. FOSTER departed Naval Station Everett, WA, for a six-month Middle East Force deployment on time and ready to carry out any mission tasking.

The US Navy Surface Force was scheduled to begin, in the summer of 2002, an initiative to test the effectiveness of deploying a single ship for 18-months while swapping out crews at six-month intervals. Called Sea Swap, this initial two-phased initiative would involve three SPRUANCE-class destroyers -- USS FLETCHER (DD 992), USS KINKAID (DD 965) and USS OLDENDORF (DD 972), and three ARLEIGH BURKE-class guided missile destroyers -- USS HIGGINS (DDG 76), USS JOHN PAUL JONES (DDG 53) and USS BENFOLD (DDG 65). For the DD phase, FLETCHER and her crew would deploy with their battle group, but after six months, only the crew would return. The ship would remain deployed and be manned by the crew from KINKAID. After completing their training cycle and decommissioning KINKAID, these Sailors would fly to a port in either Australia or Singapore to assume ownership of FLETCHER and steam her back on-station. After six months, they would be replaced by the crew from OLDENDORF who would have completed the same training and decommissioning schedule with their ship before flying out to relieve the KINKAID crew. After four more months on station, the OLDENDORF crew would then bring the ship (FLETCHER) back to the United States where it too would be decommissioned. Additionally, by executing this plan, the Navy would be able to eliminate the deployment of USS PAUL F. FOSTER because the additional on-station time generated by swapping out the crews meant a ship would already be in theater meeting that requirement.

USS PAUL F. FOSTER was decommissioned on March 14, 2003, at its homeport of Everett, Wash.

The design of the PAUL F. FOSTER Coat of Arms is a composite of emblems representing the many outstanding honors and achievements of Vice Admiral Foster during his long and vigorous service to his country and the Navy.

Within the shield of the Coat of Arms is a chevron also appearing in the blazon of the Foster family. A traditional symbol of support and achievement, the chevron has been divided into three sections. These sections represent the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal, all awarded to Admiral Foster during his brilliant career. The three five-pointed stars within the chevron represent his final rank of Vice Admiral.

A triple towered castle forms the crest of the ship's emblem. The same castle appears as part of the Coat of Arms from the port of Vera Cruz, representing where, the Ensign Foster, distinguished himself and earned the Medal of Honor. The tower's red color alludes to the turret explosion on the USS TRENTON and extraordinary heroism in that crisis for which he was awarded the Navy Cross. The navy blue border represents the service during World War I and the sinking of a German submarine, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal.

Below the shield, on a scroll of navy blue, is the ship's motto: "Honor, Valor, Service", each word having come from the citations accompanying the decorations awarded to Admiral Foster.

The two photos below were taken by William Chiu when USS PAUL F. FOSTER visited Hong Kong on May 12, 1991.

The photos below were taken by me and show the PAUL F. FOSTER as EDD 964 at Port Hueneme, Calif., on October 3, 2011. Unfortunately, at Port Hueneme it's impossible to take unobstructed photos from public places outside the Naval Base. At the time the photos were taken, the PAUL F. FOSTER was the last remaining SPRUANCE - class destroyer.

The photos below are official US Navy photos and show the PAUL F. FOSTER on November 17, 2011, off the US west coast conducting a demonstration of shipboard alternative fuel use on a 50-50 blend of an algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76.

The photo below was taken by John Rebus (Michael) and shows the PAUL F. FOSTER during a visit to Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on June 2, 2016. She is now carrying a Sea RAM system.